She figured she was just overwhelmed and kept all the little incidents to herself. She didn't want to concern Mark with any of it. Feeling a little freaked out wasn't a reason to call in the National Guard. She attributed it to her overactive imagination and decided to take a few more safety precautions.
The next day though, when Emily went to check the mail and found an envelope in the box addressed to her, everything changed. There was no return address on it but it had been mailed locally. She opened it, not thinking much about it until she read the words.
I have been watching you. I love how your hair blows in the breeze when you step out onto the balcony late at night. You are truly a vision. I know you've noticed me as well but have to keep up appearances. I just wanted to let you know I'm here for you and will always be here. We were meant to be together. Nothing will keep us apart. I know you'll enjoy what I have planned for us. It will be magical. Until we're together, know I'm keeping an eye on you. I hope you've appreciated my poetry and the gifts I have left for you. Just know if I can't have you, then no one else can either. We will be a true family soon.
With my love always,
Your Secret Admirer.
Emily dropped the letter and started shaking uncontrollably. She looked around the place, fearful there was someone watching her at that moment. A shiver of fear ran down her spine and tears filled her eyes. She was terrified to know her fears had been real.
She fell to the floor and sobbed. She knew things were too good to be true. How could she stay now when there was someone out there trying to get to her? What if he harmed her son while trying to harm her?
Mark walked in the front door, his heart almost stopping, when he saw Emily huddled on the floor, with sobs racking her entire body. He dropped to his knees and gathered her into his arms.
"Emily what's happened? Is Trevor okay?" He asked in a panic. He gently shook her shoulders so she would look at him. He needed to know what was wrong.
She stared up at him with haunted eyes. She looked terrified and he knew he would go to the ends of the world to fight whatever demons were after her. He gathered her close, while the sobs kept racking her body. His eyes were searching frantically for Trevor. He could deal with anything else that was happening, if he knew Trevor was okay.
Edward walked into the room and immediately walked over. "What has happened?" he asked.
"I don't know," Mark answered. "Is Trevor okay?"
"Yes, Trevor is fine," Edward answered. Mark visibly relaxed.
"Can you go stay with Trevor and make sure he doesn't come in? I'm going to take Emily up to our room and find out what is going on," Mark asked.
"Of course, sir," Edward answered. His eyes followed Mark as he gently carried Emily up the stairs. He was as concerned about her as Mark was. Emily had already become a loved member of the household.
Mark laid her on the bed and then stretched out next to her, holding her until the sobs finally started to quiet down. When she was down to just a few hiccups, he pled with her to please tell him what was going on.
"W … we are g … going to have to m … move," she finally managed to get out between hiccup sobs.
Mark felt as if his whole world had been flipped upside down. "Why would you even think that?" he asked her.
"Trevor isn't safe," she managed to gasp out and then handed him the letter that was crushed in her hand.
Mark read through the letter and then read it again to make sure he was really seeing what was there. He still held her close and made sure to gently rub her back but if she would've been able to see his eyes, her terror would have tripled.
He was simmering with so much fury it took all the well trained will-power he'd ever developed, not to smash up the entire room. He knew he had to stay calm and strong for her but how dare someone try and threaten his woman?
He'd always heard people talk about seeing red when they lost their temper and had thought it was nothing more than an expression. He now understood the reality of it. His fury was so intense he could actually see a red hue around the corners of his vision.
"It's okay baby, I promise you this person will never come near you or Trevor," he said with so much menace in his tone, she actually stopped long enough to look up at him in surprise.
He didn't want her to see his eyes so he gently tucked her head back down to his shoulder, while he continued stroking her.
"You don't understand Mark, he knows where I live. He could hurt Trevor trying to get to me," she said. The tears were finally starting to dry.
"Emily I will repeat to you that I will never let anything happen to you or Trevor. I guarantee this guy won't touch you," he stated. He lifted her chin up, looking deeply into her eyes. He'd finally managed to somewhat control his turbulent emotions.